Agenda item

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Locality Officer presented the report which asked members to consider awarding a grant of £12,500 towards community transport. He advised that Jenn Hodge from Rama Life was present to answer any questions.

During discussion the Locality Officer and Jenn Hodge responded to points of detail and some of their comments included:

·        The minibus to be purchased was second-hand and had been refurbished by the manufacturer.

·        Running costs were covered – there was an agreement with the Parish Council for support with some costs annually plus there was predicted income.

·        More detail about the financing plan.

·        It was hoped to create a sinking fund for big repairs if needed.

·        The specifications of the minibus meant it could be driven with an ordinary driving licence.

·        Detail about how the company had been set up and history, and a background of the experience of working with young people and the philosophy behind it.

·        Outreach work and advertising would be taken in steps and initially by social media and then look to do in person when Covid restrictions permitted.

·        Rama Life and the minibus would be running as slightly separate things, and provided an overview of how funded. Sponsorship would be encouraged.

·        Plans for a bus had been ongoing for many years and management of the project had always been the issue with it progressing. Rama Life, on paper, looked like there were contributing little financially towards the minibus. However they were doing all the management and providing the time.

At the end of debate, members expressed their support for the project and congratulated Ms Hodges for being a talented fundraiser and taking the project through. A members suggested it would be good to get some feedback from the group in perhaps a years time to learn what had been achieved. It was proposed to approve the grant as detailed in the report, which was unanimously supported.

 (Voting: Unanimous)